The tough days as a real estate consultant.
In life, and especially in business, we are taught to lead with our wins.The highlights.The achievements.The moments that make us look confident, capable, and ahead of the rest.
We use success to speak for us, to clients, competitors, and the world. And somewhere along the way, it becomes unspoken that the losses, the rejections, and the hard days are better left out of the conversation. Sometimes even around our kids.
Last week, I met a lovely woman. After building strong rapport, having honest conversations, and sharing genuine excitement about working together, I truly believed I would be partnering with her to sell her home. I was confident she could see the value I would bring and the result I would work tirelessly to deliver.
She chose another agent.
It is hard not to take that personally. No matter how thick your skin becomes in real estate, when someone does not see what you know you can offer, the care, the effort, the intention, it stings. You replay conversations. You question yourself. What did I miss? What could I have done differently?
But we do not talk about days like that very often.
We live in a world of highlight reels. Influencers, success stories, people who appear to have it all figured out. We see confidence, certainty, momentum. Rarely doubt. Rarely disappointment. Rarely the moments where things simply do not go to plan. And if I am honest, I have been guilty of this too. My wins are celebrated, the losses quietly tucked away.
The reminder for me was this. Low days matter. And it is important the people around us, our family and colleagues, know that we have them too.
I changed careers at 40, stepping away from 21 years in the fitness industry to build something entirely new. That was not failure. It was growth.
In business, in school, and in life, I have always believed in the long game. Confidence is built over time. Character is shaped through setbacks. And the moments that feel like losses are often quietly preparing us for something better aligned.
This post is not about seeking sympathy or validation. It is simply about choosing honesty, even when it feels uncomfortable. I am also reminded that strength does not come from pretending everything is fine.
Sometimes, strength is just showing up, even on the days we do not post about